Kendrick Lamar Has 30 to 40 Songs for New Album, Which Could Come Out This Year

The new issue of Complex features Kendrick Lamar on the cover, and whether it meant rapidly flipping through pages or just clicking around their quite pretty online version, the question most readers are looking to have answered is, what is next for the L.A. rapper?

And a new album, yes, is what is expected, and soon. But while there haven’t been many concrete details about the follow-up to 2012’s commercial and artistic success, good kid, m.A.A.d city, a few have been revealed in the Complex issue, including a possible release timeframe.

In the interview, it is revealed that unlike good kid, the follow-up has not been planned years in advance, and at this point still does not have a cover or title. What he does have is 30 to 40 songs, and the expectation to release the collection in the fourth quarter of this year. So everyone better slow down making their best of 2014 lists when the time comes.

The article also notes that Tae Beast and Sounwave of Digi+Phonics have provided most of the beats, which is appropriate as they are Top Dawg Entertainment’s in-house producers, but that Dr. Dre has also been involved in some production.

The article has plenty about Lamar’s creative process and recounts his breakthrough release. And for what’s next, Lamar says this about his mental state.

“If I keep focusing on, ‘I need to make something better than good kid,’ it’s going to be just that,” he said. “That’s not challenging yourself. I don’t want to become that person reflecting on what has been done. What I’m doing now is the question. I’m only as good as my last word, my last hook, my last bridge.”

Stay tuned for more details on this highly anticipated release in the coming months.